Pint-sized pour

HIP HOORAY: Let's have one hearty cheer for the canned version of this ultra-light lager. In December, Grupo Modelo began peddling the beer in 12-ounce cans with a Red Bullish tall-and-slim profile. For joining the growing roster of beers making the green move to cans, which are easier to recycle and require less fuel to ship than glass bottles, Corona Light deserves some applause.

HIP HOO-CARES: Unfortunately, this remains one of the blandest, least flavorful beers on the market. The aroma, with the familiar corn-and-malt notes of most Mexican lagers, promises more flavor than the beer delivers. The wispy body raises a thorny question for philosophers: Can a light beer become so thin, it's no longer beer?

HIP HIPPY: If you're trying to lose weight, we're not sure light beers are the way to go. The regular beer, Corona Extra, is only 49 calories more than the light product – and a scant 10 calories more than a single ounce of tortilla chips.

Beers are rated from 0 to 5, with 5 being best.

BEER BIZ

Just so we're clear: the annual Toronado Barleywine Festival will run through Feb. 22 at the original Toronado, 547 Haight St., San Francisco. Still, you can find great barleywines at the newest Toronado, 4026 30th St., San Diego.